Abstract
This article considers how law schools can facilitate the development of technology skills by using technology to enhance access to mooting in settings that replicate legal practice. The authors conducted research into the use of technology by Australian law schools for mooting and evaluated an internal mooting competition using Elluminate, an online communication platform available to students through Blackboard. The analysis of the results of the survey and the Elluminate competition will demonstrate that technology can be used in mooting to provide an authentic learning experience. The paper concludes that while it is essential to teach technology skills as part of legal education, it is important that the benefits of using technology are made clear in order for it to be accepted and embraced by the students. Technology must also be available to all students considering the widening participation in higher education and consequent increasing diversity of law students.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONThe use of technology for purposes such as communication and document management has become essential to legal practice, with practitioners and courts increasingly relying on various forms of technology.[1]
This article considers how law schools can facilitate the development of technology skills by using technology to enhance access to mooting in settings that replicate legal practice
The paper concludes that while it is essential to teach technology skills as part of legal education, it is important that the benefits of using technology are made clear in order for it to be accepted and embraced by the students
Summary
The use of technology for purposes such as communication and document management has become essential to legal practice, with practitioners and courts increasingly relying on various forms of technology.[1]. The first stage of the project comprised a literature review in relation to the benefits to students of participating in mooting and the use of technology in legal education and the courts, and a survey of students to ascertain the perceived benefits to students of participating in mooting At this stage the project team concluded that while mooting assists students to develop a range of practical skills such as advocacy, research and writing, analytical ability and networking, as well as improving self-confidence and building networks, there are impediments to students participating in mooting such as lack of access due to remoteness of location or time commitments, and a lack of experience and confidence.[3]. Technology can support student learning and provide authentic learning experiences that can, in the context of mooting, assist universities to support students from increasingly diverse backgrounds to transition to university and to have a positive overall course experience
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